Diagnosis of Herniated Discs

The diagnosis of herniated discs can be a scary experience for any patient. We have all heard horror stories about
disc injuries
and how some patients never recover. Therefore, this diagnosis can create a powerful
nocebo effect
on the patient that can last forever. Many patients never get past the
idea that a structure in their back has failed and now they perceive
themselves to be permanently damaged goods.

The scope of this article will look at the actual diagnostic
process used to identify disc protrusions in the human spine. However,
the psychological effects of herniations will also be discussed, since
these are just as important to understand as their physical
counterparts.

Diagnosis of Herniated Discs Methods

Diagnosing a
herniated disc
is usually accomplished by a medical
doctor
or
chiropractor.
The diagnosis is typically made through a series of progressive steps:

First, the care provider will interview the patient about the nature of their pain and their
general health. Any instances of back or neck injury should be
thoroughly discussed and evaluated.

A physical exam should always be performed to check for pain, tingling,
numbness
or weakness anywhere in the anatomy.

X-rays might be performed, but they will not show a herniated disc. They may however, provide enough evidence of a potential disc abnormality to order an MRI study.

CT scan, also called computed tomography, is less expensive than
MRI and can also effectively diagnose many disc issues. CT is not as
useful for determining possible neurological effects of said herniation,
however.

Myelogram is an advanced test to detect disc abnormalities and other spinal problems.

Mindbody Effects of the Diagnosis of Herniated Discs

As previously mentioned, the diagnostic pronouncement of a disc
pathology is always psychologically damaging. This is true whether the
diagnosis is herniation, degeneration, bulge or rupture. Patients often
report suffering a severe escalation of symptoms shortly after
diagnosis of a herniated disc and this can easily be explained by the
nocebo effect.

The way to fight the negative psychoemotional consequences of the
diagnostic process is with the simple power of knowledge. Patients
fear what they do not know or understand.

Patients also fear the misconceptions and
myths they have been told all their lives about herniations. Learning
the facts about disc conditions will set them free from this
considerable worry and anxiety. The diagnostician should always consider the psychological
factors and must do everything in their power to tell the patient the
simple truths of herniated discs and how most are nothing of concern.

Unfortunately, many opportunistic doctors take the opposite stance,
purposefully vilifying even the most innocent disc abnormalities in
order to profit financially from extended or drastic treatment. In my 25 years active research and participation in the back pain
treatment sector, I see this all the time, but it still sickens me at
each and every occurrence.

Beware the Inaccurate Diagnosis of Herniated Discs

Beware of chiropractors, or other care providers, who say they can
diagnose herniated discs by a simple physical exam. There is no sure
way to determine a disc injury through touch or clinical exam.
Personally I have met at least a few chiropractors who insisted they can
feel even slight disc irregularities with their touch alone. No, the straight leg raising test means absolutely nothing and
does not correlate to the incidence of disc herniation. This is an
antiquated myth at best and a purposeful deceit at worst.

If you are being treated by an care provider who claims to have a magical ability to diagnose by sight or touch alone… run. Run quickly and don’t look back.

An MRI is always a safe bet when a herniated disc is suspected.
This will confirm the existence of a herniation, as well as show any
potential neurological effects the disc might be creating in the spine.